Welcome Braai
Saturday, April 3rd • 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Kick off the weekend at Matobo Hills Lodge with a traditional braai. Come dressed in your best African inspired attire and get to know all our friends and family before the big day.
April 4, 2027 | Matobo National Park
Elizabeth Ashley Wilkey&Tafadzwa Tsambatare
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Matthew 19:6
We're thrilled to have you be part of this special chapter in our lives. As we step into this new journey together, we'd be honored to have you celebrate with us. On this site, you'll find everything you need, from our story and event schedule to RSVP and venue details. Your presence means so much to us, and we can't wait to share a day filled with love, joy, and unforgettable moments that will last a lifetime!
With love,
Elizabeth Ashley Wilkey&Tafadzwa Tsambatare
Weekend Schedule
APRIL 3RD, 4TH & 5TH, 2027
Guided Rhino Trek
Sunday, April 4th • 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
For those who wish to partake, we have organized a guided safari trek through Matobo National Park, known for its high concentration of endangered black and white rhinos. Transportation and the guided trek are complimentary as a thank you to making the journey.
Wedding Ceremony
Sunday, April 4th • 3:00 PM
We say our vows and begin our forever among Matobo's sacred granite kopjes at Amalinda Lodge, surrounded by the people we love most.
Cocktail Hour
Sunday, April 4th • 4:00 PM
Drinks and Hors D'oeuvres in the bush.
Reception
Sunday, April 4th • 5:00 PM
Dinner and celebrations begin!
Brunch
Monday, April 5th • 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Please join us back at Amalinda Lodge for brunch before everyone departs.
Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park
Monday, April 5th • Friday, April 9th
For those who wish to explore Zimbabwe, we will be spending the rest of the week in Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park. Check out the Travel & Stay tab to learn more about our plans.
Our Venue
Matobo National Park is known for a range of balancing rock formations created by erosion of the granite plateau. The park has significant populations of black eagles and both black and white rhinos. The grave of Cecil Rhodes, founder of former British colony Rhodesia, is carved into the summit of Malindidzimu. San (Bushmen) lived in the hills with some sites dating back over 13,000 years, leaving a rich heritage in hundreds of rock paintings. There are over 3,000 registered rock art sites. The Matobo Hills were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The hills remain a vital spiritual center where traditional oracle and rain-making ceremonies are still actively practiced. It is in this sacred land that we have selected Amalinda Lodge, built into the rock scape to unite in marriage.
Welcome Braai
Start time – 3:00 PM (April 3rd)
Matobo Hills Lodge
Matopos, Zimbabwe
Join us for a traditional Zimbabwean braai, we request that guests dress in African inspired attire.
Ceremony & Reception
Start time – 3:00 PM (April 4th)
Amalinda Lodge
Matopos, Zimbabwe
We will exchange our vows and begin this next chapter together. Please arrive early for seating. After the ceremony, we'll celebrate and dance late into the evening.
Brunch
Start time – 9:00 AM (April 5th)
Amalinda Lodge
Matopos, Zimbabwe
Please join us back at Amalinda Lodge for brunch before everyone departs.
The Story of Us
Aubrey and Elizabeth met quite by chance back in 2019, at an Australian Chamber of Commerce event in Guangzhou, China. Aubrey had recently moved to the city to work for HSBC, having completed his undergraduate studies at Beijing Jiaotong University. Elizabeth had been living and working in Guangzhou for a couple of years with a US-based study abroad program, following her graduation from Bucknell University in 2017. Dressed in fine corporate fashion that evening, they soon caught one another’s attention. Aubrey made the first move, striking up a conversation with Elizabeth’s dear friend, Dongdong, only to ask to be introduced to Elizabeth a moment later. Elizabeth, quite shy at the time, was captivated by the young lad’s brilliant smile and remarkable understanding of the world beyond his years. They exchanged WeChat details, and Aubrey even asked her out for drinks; Elizabeth, however, remained cautious and kept him on his toes, waiting several days before responding.
Alas, the pair soon found themselves crossing paths time and again, at boot camp, the local pub, and even on a hiking excursion. Aubrey, undeterred, bravely decided to try his luck once more and asked Elizabeth out to dinner. This time, much to his delight, she immediately said yes. After their first date at the Nepalese restaurant Little Papa, the two became rather inseparable. That is, of course, until the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic, Elizabeth returned to the United States for what she believed would be a mere two weeks, only to have her return flight to China cancelled in March 2020, leaving her unexpectedly stranded across the other side of the world. Aubrey, meanwhile, remained in China, where he would eventually endure the difficult lockdowns that followed. The pair found themselves apart for nearly two years. The distance certainly tested their relationship, forcing them to weather their fair share of trials and tribulations, and to learn how to navigate life’s many ups and downs from opposite sides of the world.
With great determination and no small measure of divine hope, the two were finally reunited in September 2022, in Toronto, Canada. Since then, Aubrey and Elizabeth have continued to travel the world side by side, their most recent adventure taking them to Zimbabwe and South Africa, where, at the Cape of Good Hope in Cape Town, Aubrey asked Elizabeth to be his wife. And so, the eventful weekend ahead shall be a celebration of the remarkable journey that brought them here and, most importantly, of their commitment to embark upon the rest of their lives together.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
One
Can I bring a guest with me?
If your invitation includes a guest, feel free to bring them along. If not, we kindly ask for your understanding as the venue has limited space.
Two
What should I wear to the ceremony?
We'd love for our guests to dress in black tie or formal attire. Please take care to wear thick heels as there is uneven terrain.
Three
How do I RSVP?
You can RSVP through our website by the deadline shown on your invitation. If you did not receive your code electronically, please reach out to Elizabeth or Tafadzwa.
Four
As an international guest do I need a visa?
Yes, the easiest method is to get your visa upon arrival rather than an e-visa. Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through immigration where you will need to pay for your visa in USD cash ($30 to $100 depending on citizenship).
Five
Are any vaccines required?
There are no required vaccines for entry. An official yellow fever vaccination is only required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Six
Are there places to stay nearby?
Yes! Please refer to the Travel & Stay tab to learn more about the various accommodations available. Please note there is a deadline of January 1, 2027 for our exclusive use lodges.